“Let me see.” Maddox whistled as he admired it. “That’s nice. I’d like one of those myself.”

“For what?” Tobias joked. “You hardly ever hike.”

“It’s not just for hiking. It does all kinds of things, right? But I’ve been thinking. I’ve decided to train with you—for this summer with Atticus.”

“What does that mean?” Tobias asked.

“It’ll be a lot easier if we take turns carrying him,” Maddox said.

Tobias exchanged a glance with the pregnant Jada, who smiled proudly, and felt a huge sense of relief. He’d been worried about his ability to carry a grown man so far. But if he had his brother as backup, there was no question he could make it. They’d all make it. “That’s awesome. I love it. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do for the both of you,” he said. “And Jada will like it, too. It’ll give me a reason to get back in shape.”

“What are you talking about?” she said with a laugh. “You’re already in shape.”

“Not as in shape as I’ll be if I take this on.”

“You still haven’t told us who gave you the watch,” Jill pointed out. He’d told her about the hike with Atticus while they were at dinner last night. She hadn’t seemed overly supportive of the idea, said she didn’t see the point in it. “Someone could get hurt,” she’d said. “And for what?” But she’d ultimately shrugged and let it go with “If that’s what you want to do.”

“A friend,” he repeated.

Maya peered closer at him. “You’re not going to tell us which friend? That means it was a woman.”

Tobias couldn’t help grinning. “True.”

Jill gaped at him. “We spent all of last night together and you never mentioned that you’ve got a girlfriend?”

“She’s not my girlfriend,” he clarified. “We’re just starting to hang out now and then.”

“Don’t tell me you’re still seeing Harper Devlin!” Jada said. “Is she the one who bought you the expensive watch?”

Tobias figured there was no longer any need to keep the relationship a secret. Even Axel knew he and Harper had been seeing each other. “Yeah.”

“Wow!” Jada exclaimed. “Must be going well.”

“Wait,” Maya said. “We’re not talking about the Axel Devlin—the lead singer of Pulse?”

Tobias arched an eyebrow at his niece. “No. We’re talking about his ex-wife. I have no interest in him whatsoever.”

She laughed. “Stop it. She’s beautiful! But—” her smile suddenly faded “—I heard that Axel’s in town. My friend’s mother saw him at the coffee shop yesterday. Everyone’s saying he wants her back. You don’t think… I mean…”

Somehow Tobias managed to maintain his smile. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I know what the odds are.”